Canadian Traveller's Top Places to Stay in Anaheim

     
Blessed with ample attractions and awash in sunlight, making the decision to visit Anaheim is easy. If you’re a parent, it’s one your kids probably made for you. Even the flights are easy—most are direct from Canadian gateways. Getting around is simple, too—you don’t need a rental car, unless you want one. The biggest decision travellers make is where to stay. Weighing location, amenities, onsite dining, room configurations and budget can be daunting. To save you the legwork, we’ve whittled down our top stays to 13 hotels and resorts, divided them into luxury and budget friendly so all you have to do is pick your pool.  

Top Places to Stay: Luxury hotels & resorts

    
 Why not elevate your Orange County experience by staying at one of the most luxurious hotels Anaheim has to offer? In close proximity to Disneyland, the Anaheim Convention Center, a wide variety of attractions and fabulous shopping, we think calling any of these lavish lodgings home during your visit sounds like a wonderful idea. Here’s three to check out.

The Westin Anaheim Resort

Visit Anaheim

Opened in 2021 with a focus on wellness, this beautiful new property features a 24-hour fitness centre, known as the Westin Workout and a palm tree-lined outdoor pool with handsome loungers and cabanas. The hotel has a sophisticated, neutral colour palette, and guestrooms feature the brand’s Westin Heavenly Beds, including a signature sleep program that includes relaxing essential oils and a food menu with suggestions for inspiring zzz’s. Dine at Fleming’s Steakhouse, Puesto for Mexican, or California-cuisine in the Tangerine Room. RISE Rooftop Lounge is a bar with spectacular views of the Disneyland Resort and nightly fireworks, too. Ending a long day of walking the theme parks this way reminds us why we take vacations, doesn’t it?
   

JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort

Visit Anaheim

This AAA-rated Four Diamond hotel opened in 2020 with a disappearing steel art installation that needs to be seen to be believed, and that sets the tone for the unique hotel experience here. On the second floor, guests find the JW Garden which features an edible garden, allowing for a seed-to-table food and beverage concept in an augmented reality sculpture garden. Tuck into scratch-made pizza or pasta at the recently opened for dinner Tocca Ferro Italian Chophouse or linger over sunset nibbles like the tuna poke or Buffalo chicken sliders at Parkestry Rooftop Bar. This happens to be the loftiest bar and lounge in Anaheim, so expect to experience some jaw dropping while you sip that carefully crafted elderflower gimlet. JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort is the only JW Marriott in Orange County. 
   

The Viv Hotel, Anaheim, A Tribute Hotel

Visit Anaheim

The Radisson Blu Anaheim was reimagined in 2022 and re-launched as The Viv Hotel. As part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, the property has subtle nods to Disney throughout, plus playful pops of colour that keep the vacation vibe alive. A variety of guestrooms is on offer, including bunk bedrooms for the kids. Kick back with a cocktail and Spanish tapas at The Top of The V while taking in the incredible views in an adults-only space or try Valencia’s for authentic Mexican dishes like Campechano tacos or gordita. The swimming pool scenes are separated and appreciated; one is for families with children, and the other is adults-only. See? Everybody’s happy.

Top Places to Stay: Budget-Friendly Hotels

    
A visit to Disneyland doesn’t have to break the piggy (or is that Piglet?) bank if you choose from our list of affordable hotels. Staying right in the heart of it all in Anaheim allows for easy visits to attractions like Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, Anaheim GardenWalk, House of Blues, sporting events, fabulous shopping and so much more. Here are ten well-priced hotels to call home on your next visit.
   

Anaheim Marriott

Visit Anaheim | Anaheim Marriott

This 4-star hotel is just blocks from Disneyland, and walking distance to the Anaheim Convention Center plus other attractions. Guest rooms and suites have nice bedding, hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, plus balconies with views. Kick back at the outdoor pool or work out in the fitness center, and don’t miss nFuse restaurant and bar for locally grown fresh ingredients. Bourbon lover? Check out the restaurant’s impressive list. The Market Café is ideal for grab and go meals and snacks plus Slice Pizzeria offers an impressive pie.
   

Best Western Stovall’s Inn

Best Western Plus Stovall's Inn

An affordable Anaheim favourite since 1964, this hotel now has completely remodeled guest rooms and upgraded amenities. Think HD movie channels, free WIFI, a complimentary delicious breakfast every day, and a fitness center for those essential workouts after a whole lot of theme park snacking. All at a classic hotel brand we’ve come to trust.
   

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort

How does a hotel with a 30,000 square-foot waterpark sound? In hot and sunny California, that may just sound like heaven. Less than a mile from Disneyland, this resort offers six on-site dining options, an indoor/outdoor bar and fun activities like a putting green and an outdoor movie wall. Family suites have bunk beds for the kids, and breakfast is included. Hop on the nearby ART theme park shuttle for easy transportation too.
   

Anaheim Desert Palms Hotel & Suites

Desert Palms Hotel & Suites

Just one block from the Disneyland, the guest rooms and suites are spacious with a variety of configurations and options to find just the right fit for your family, no matter what size. Take advantage of the free hot breakfast buffet every morning to make early starts just a little easier for everyone. Stay protected from the hot Orange County sun under shade awnings at the outdoor pool too.
   

Hilton Anaheim

Visit Anaheim

Kids will love the outdoor pool and waterslides, and parents will enjoy the Pool Bar and Grill’s tropical cocktails. The hotel’s health club gym has the latest equipment, free-weights, plus a stretching room, or book a spa treatment to really treat yourself. Mix Restaurant and Lounge has breakfast with Starbucks coffee plus quick meal options.
   

Holiday Inn & Suites Anaheim

Holiday Inn & Suites Anaheim

A 15-minute walk to Downtown Disney District and California Adventure Park makes for an easy commute, plus the hotel’s central location means a short drive to most other attractions around the state. A 24-hour fitness center is convenient, and Onyx Restaurant and Bar has a variety of foods to suit many tastes. Generations of families rely on this brand to deliver, and here they do.
   

Howard Johnson Hotel & Water Playground

Visit Anaheim | Howard Johnson |  House of the Future

Book the special “House of the Retro Future” Suite, where guests are whisked back to the 1960s with a room featuring classic design elements inspired by the House of the Future attraction developed by Monsanto. Check out the new Garden Pool surrounded by mature trees for a quiet, relaxing nature break too. Recharging is essential.
   

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort

With its recent $40-million dollar renovation, this elegant 490-guestroom high-rise hotel features the brand’s Signature Sleep Experience plus private balconies that overlook Anaheim. Club level accommodations offer VIP exclusive services. Be sure and visit the three restaurants and lounges onsite plus Morton’s Steakhouse for a truly memorable meal.
   

Clementine Hotel & Suites Anaheim

Clementine Hotel & Suites Anaheim

Family and pet friendly, this hotel has an open community layout that feels truly like home away from home. This all-suites property has comfortable living areas, full kitchens, BBQ and fire pits, a playground, plus courts for tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Pleasing pops of colour throughout the suites are nice too, adding to its friendly vibe.
   

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Resort

Courtyard Anaheim Resort/Convention Center

Family suites featuring bunk beds, a pullout sofa, and separate bedrooms mean everyone has room to breathe and are comfortable here. Expect modern room designs in warm, neutral shades rather than lots of bright colour, and where Disney character motifs are left at the theme park. A break from the hustle and bustle is always welcome.
    

How to Easily Get to Anaheim from Canada

Visit Anaheim

Booking a flight through WestJet will be your best bet, as the airline flies right into Orange County’s John Wayne Airport (SNA) from either Vancouver or Calgary. Once you’ve landed, it’s just a short 20-minute ride to Anaheim—the heart of the action—and where you’ll set up base during your vacation.
   

Getting to and from John Wayne Airport

John Wayne Airport, Orange County

Getting ground transportation into Anaheim from John Wayne Orange County airport is easy when you book a ride in advance with Karmel Shuttle & Southern California Coach Service. The drivers can get you to the theme parks and any of the neighbouring hotels, and back again.

Need a driver with an SUV or mini van that’s large enough for the whole family and your luggage to get you directly to your hotel, stress-free? Easy. Karmel Shuttle also offers hourly chartered car service, private vehicles and tours (like the Catalina Island Packages), making it easy for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with multi-lane freeway driving. Skip the stress of the commute, finding parking, gassing up, the expense and all that goes with renting a car on vacation. 
   

Getting to and from parks and attractionsVisit Anaheim

Once you are settled in your hotel in Anaheim, you won’t miss having your own rental car at all when you experience how simple it is to get around the area using Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART). The city’s main public transportation system operates within the Anaheim Resort District and surrounding areas. Every year, nine million residents and visitors use ART to visit just about anywhere and the hop-on / hop-off service makes multiple stops easy.

ART / Visit Anaheim

The website offers a colourful, illustrative map that lays it out and makes route planning simple.

At the centre is Anaheim, which of course is home to Disneyland, Angel Stadium, Anaheim Gardenwalk, House of Blues Anaheim, the Anaheim Convention Center, downtown Anaheim and Honda Center. Clicking on the attraction will reveal a window that shows you which bus route to take.

Visit Anaheim

From the centre of Anaheim, the interactive map also shows nearby Buena Park, where you’ll find family-friendly attractions like Knott’s Berry Farm, Pirate’s Dinner Adventure and Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Want a beach day? Click on the beach link and it provides routes and bus lines to get you weekend service to San Clemente Pier. Bus routes can also bring you to Segerstrom Center in nearby Costa Mesa for Broadway shows and world class performing arts. Craving some retail therapy? Take the orange line to shop The Outlets at Orange. 

Download the A-Way WeGo app to purchase fare tickets and connect you more broadly with Amtrak, LAX ground transportation and Metrolink.